LAFC announced today that the Club has agreed to transfer midfielder Eduard Atuesta to Brazilian Serie A club Palmeiras.
“We are excited for Eduard in the next step of his career,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “Since he arrived in our first season, Eduard has been a leader both on and off the field. His contributions in building LAFC have been immense, and we are grateful for how he has represented the Club. Eduard developed into an MLS All-Star and Best XI player in his time in L.A., and it is gratifying to see him move on to perform for a team that won the 2020 and 2021 Copa Libertadores.”
Atuesta, 24, has been a vital part of LAFC’s midfield since joining the Club early in its inaugural season in 2018. Originally acquired using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on Feb. 27, 2018 from Colombia’s Independiente Medellin, Atuesta was named to the 2021 MLS All-Star Team and was a member of the league’s 2019 Best XI and honored as an MLS 22 Under 22 performer in 2018.
The Colombian international leaves LAFC as one of the Club’s all-time statistical leaders - ranking second in assists (23), third in games played (96), third in games started (84), third in minutes played (7,593) and third in shots (137). Atuesta helped lead LAFC to the 2019 Supporter’s Shield and scored a total of seven career regular season goals. He also scored two times in four Playoff appearances.
Atuesta captained Colombia’s U-20 team at the South American Championship and played for the U-23 team in Olympic Qualifying matches.
TRANSACTION: The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) transfers midfielder Eduard Atuesta to Brazilian club Palmeiras.
